Syamili M S
Species diversity and community structure of amphibians of selected agroecosystems in Thrissur, Kerala - Vellanikkara Department of wildlife science, College of Forestry 2017 - 91
MSc
The research work entitled “Species diversity and community structure of
amphibians of selected agroecosystems in Thrissur, Kerala” was carried out in the
agroecosystems such as Cashew Plantation, Coconut Plantation, Homegarden,
Rubber Plantation, Wetlands and in Botanical Garden from January 2017 to May
2017. The main objective of the study was to find out the species diversity and
community structure of amphibians of selected agroecosystems and its association
with various habitat parameters. A total effort of 225 man hours were spent in the
field during night. The methods adopted for the study include Quadrat Sampling,
Visual Encounter Survey along with the Opportunistic Sampling.
A total of 14 anurans were recorded from the study locations. Species
richness was found to be highest in Rubber plantation with eight species. Encounter
of amphibians was more in Wetlands followed by Rubber Plantation. All the
sampling units in Homegarden and Wetlands (25 quadrats each) had the presence
of amphibians. The research found significant difference in amphibian diversity
among the different agroecosystems. Visual encounter survey combined with
opportunistic sampling was found to be an efficient methodology to assess the
amphibian species richness of an agroecosystem. The study found an inverse
relation between the presence of amphibians and reptiles in the sampling units. The
microhabitat variables such as soil moisture, soil pH, litter depth, maximum air
temperature, and minimum air temperature has a positive influence on the presence
of Pseudophilautus wynaadensis while shrub density, soil temperature at 5 cm
depth and evaporation had significant inverse relation.
The present work recorded two Western Ghats endemic species
Indosylvirana sreeni and Pseudophilautus wynaadensis, from the agroecosystems
of Thrissur while the latter was a threatened one with Endangered status as per
IUCN Red List. Both the reports of Pseudophilautus wynaadensis and
Indosylvirana sreeni are of interest, as they are reported from a lower altitude (50m)
than the already known lowest altitude range (900m and 100m respectively) of
these species. Thus, the study highlights the importance of the agroecosystems in
acting as important habitats for the amphibian fauna in Kerala.
Wildlife science
634.9 / SYA/SP
Species diversity and community structure of amphibians of selected agroecosystems in Thrissur, Kerala - Vellanikkara Department of wildlife science, College of Forestry 2017 - 91
MSc
The research work entitled “Species diversity and community structure of
amphibians of selected agroecosystems in Thrissur, Kerala” was carried out in the
agroecosystems such as Cashew Plantation, Coconut Plantation, Homegarden,
Rubber Plantation, Wetlands and in Botanical Garden from January 2017 to May
2017. The main objective of the study was to find out the species diversity and
community structure of amphibians of selected agroecosystems and its association
with various habitat parameters. A total effort of 225 man hours were spent in the
field during night. The methods adopted for the study include Quadrat Sampling,
Visual Encounter Survey along with the Opportunistic Sampling.
A total of 14 anurans were recorded from the study locations. Species
richness was found to be highest in Rubber plantation with eight species. Encounter
of amphibians was more in Wetlands followed by Rubber Plantation. All the
sampling units in Homegarden and Wetlands (25 quadrats each) had the presence
of amphibians. The research found significant difference in amphibian diversity
among the different agroecosystems. Visual encounter survey combined with
opportunistic sampling was found to be an efficient methodology to assess the
amphibian species richness of an agroecosystem. The study found an inverse
relation between the presence of amphibians and reptiles in the sampling units. The
microhabitat variables such as soil moisture, soil pH, litter depth, maximum air
temperature, and minimum air temperature has a positive influence on the presence
of Pseudophilautus wynaadensis while shrub density, soil temperature at 5 cm
depth and evaporation had significant inverse relation.
The present work recorded two Western Ghats endemic species
Indosylvirana sreeni and Pseudophilautus wynaadensis, from the agroecosystems
of Thrissur while the latter was a threatened one with Endangered status as per
IUCN Red List. Both the reports of Pseudophilautus wynaadensis and
Indosylvirana sreeni are of interest, as they are reported from a lower altitude (50m)
than the already known lowest altitude range (900m and 100m respectively) of
these species. Thus, the study highlights the importance of the agroecosystems in
acting as important habitats for the amphibian fauna in Kerala.
Wildlife science
634.9 / SYA/SP